Obituary of Travis Dewey Irwin

Travis Dewey Irwin, 72, of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, peacefully passed away on June 1 surrounded by loved ones, after a difficult battle with cancer. Travis was born on March 9, 1950, to Doris and Walter Irwin in Memphis, Tennessee. After graduating from David Lipscomb Academy in Nashville in 1968, Travis eventually pursued a degree in Christian education from David Lipscomb College, graduating in 1974. After graduation, Travis devoted the next 45 years of his life to ministry in Church of Christ congregations in Ohio and Tennessee, including almost 23 years with the Ashland (Ohio) Church of Christ and 12 years with the Athens (Tennessee) Church of Christ. Travis was passionate about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the people in his congregations and communities. He loved preaching, teaching, serving, and helping Christians discover their spiritual gifts for building up the church. In 1972, Travis met Debbie Sadler on a blind date. They married in 1973 and went on to have three children, Brad, Michelle, and Bethy. Travis retired in December 2020, after 45 years in church ministry. Before and after retirement, Travis and Debbie enjoyed many hobbies together, including family history, sightseeing and travel, and long drives on country roads in their Mustang convertible. Their greatest pleasure was spending time with their children and grandchildren. Most of all, they enjoyed praying, reading the Bible, and talking together about discipleship and faith. They were best friends and companions, a true team in faith, life, and ministry. He is preceded in death by his father Walter Irwin and sister Donna Youngblood. Survived by wife Debbie S. Irwin; son Bradley (Tracy) Irwin, daughters Michelle (David) Tough and Bethy (Mark) Butler; grandchildren Daniel Irwin, Dylan Tough, and Emmy Ruth Butler; mother Doris Workman; brother Paul (Kathy) Irwin. Visitation with the family will be held 6: 00-8:00 pm Friday, June 10, 2022 at Murfreesboro Funeral Home and Saturday, June 11, 2022 from 10:00 am until service time at 11:00 am. Interment 1:00 pm at Evergreen Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Emmaus House of Haiti, P.O. Box 3224, Johnson City, TN 37612.